Word Origin & History

air c.1300, "invisible gases that make up the atmosphere," from O.Fr. air, from L. ærem (nom. ær), from Gk. aer (gen. æros) "air" (related to aenai "to blow, breathe"), of unknown origin, possibly from a base *awer- and thus related to aeirein "to raise" and arteria "windpipe, artery" (see aorta), on notion of "lifting, that which rises." In Homer mostly "thick air, mist;" later "air" as one of the four elements. Words for "air" in Indo-European languages tend to be associated with wind, brightness, sky. Replaced native lyft, luft (see loft). The verb meaning "to expose to open ...air" is first recorded 1520s. Broadcasting sense (e.g. on the air) first recorded 1927. To give (someone) the air "dismiss" is from 1900. Air pollution is attested by 1870.